Disclaimer: This list of training programs is provided for informational purposes
only. Neither the NRT nor its member agencies endorse the organizations
included herein. No formal review or certification is required to be included on
this list. Prior to the selection of an ICS training program, it is strongly
recommended that programs be reviewed to ensure that they follow the
guidelines presented in the NRT publication Minimum Essential ICS Training
Elements.
JANUARY 20, 1999
Minimum Essential ICS Training Elements
Introduction: The National Response Team (NRT) has issued a technical
assistance document, Managing Response to Oil Discharges and Hazardous
Substance Releases under the NCP. The purpose of the technical assistance
document is to educate all national response system responders to the
organizational management concept of Unified Command as it fits within the
Incident Command System for emergency response. The following minimum
essential training elements are intended to complement the NRT's technical
assistance document. This document identifies the minimum essential elements
that should be considered in developing or evaluating ICS training for
responders. Users should evaluate which of these elements are needed for their
purposes. This document also contains a listing of NRT agencies and their
policies regarding the use of an Incident Command System, and provides a
compilation of sources of ICS training in the Federal government.
A response management system should embody features common to any
emergency response (i.e., a modular organization, common terminology,
integrated communications, a unified command structure, a manageable span of
control, and the means for comprehensive resource management). The Incident
Command System (ICS) has broad application for the management of all-risk allhazard events, whether planned events or emergency incidents.
Minimum essential elements of an effective response management system are:
" The system must be organizationally flexible to meet the dynamic and varied
needs of incidents.
" Agencies must be able to use the system on a day-to-day basis for routine
situations as well as for major emergencies.
" The system must be sufficiently standardized to enable personnel from various
backgrounds, positions, and locations to rapidly assimilate into a common
management structure.
The ICS organizational structure is modular, flexible and can be expanded to
meet complex situations or reduced for minor incidents. The objective of the
organizational structure is to obtain and then maintain an appropriate span of
control. The ICS management system used for oil spills provides the means to
quickly transition the response from the initial "emergency" phase to a more
methodical "project@ phase.
The organization of an ICS is built around five major management functions:
Command, Planning, Operations, Logistics, and Finance. These functions are
applied to any incident whether large or small. The Incident Commander retains
responsibility for these functions unless delegated to another individual. In some
incidents or applications only a few of the organization's functional elements may
be formally established or delegated to another individual. However, if there is a
need to expand the organization, additional positions exist within the ICS
framework to meet any need.
Command has overall responsibility for the incident, determines objectives and
establishes priorities based on the nature of the incident, the resources available
and agency policy.
Planning develops an Incident Action Plan to accomplish the objectives, collects
and evaluates information, and maintains the status of assigned resources.
Operations develops the tactical organization and directs all resources to carry
out the Incident Action Plan.
Logistics provides the resources and all other services needed to support the
organization.
Finance monitors costs related to the incident, provides accounting,
procurement, time recording, cost analysis, and overall fiscal guidance.
The minimum essential elements of training for any effective response
system are enumerated on the following pages in some detail. As an overview,
the elements cover instruction on: general organization; terminology; resource
management; development of large-scale response organizations; and assigned
responsibilities for carrying out the functions of Command and General Staff,
Planning, Logistics, Operations, and Finance. These minimum essential
elements apply equally to supervisory and technical personnel alike.
Note that these minimum essential elements deal primarily with the response
management system itself; skills-level training specific to the type of hazard
event is still required in order to effectively respond to that event.
Minimum Essential ICS Training Elements
" ICS Orientation
" Organizational Overview
" Primary Elements of ICS
" Response Base (Facility) Functions
" Incident Resources
" Pre-Incident Preparation
" Initial Mobilization
" Organizational Roles and Responsibilities
" Resource Management
" Incident Planning Process
" Unified Command
" Multi-Agency Coordination
" Demobilization
" ICS Orientation
Review of the ICS organization
Basic terminology
Common responsibilities
Major organizational activities within ICS and their primary functions
Duties of Command and General Staff personnel
" Organizational Overview
How the organization initially develops
How the organization expands and/or contracts to meet operational
dynamics of the incident
Essential elements of information involved in transfer of command
Use of Branches, Divisions, and Groups within the Operations Section,
use of Branches and Units within Planning, Logistics, and Finance
Sections, and supervisory titles associated with each level
Matching agency capabilities with appropriate ICS positions
" Primary Elements of ICS
Primary management functions
Management by Objectives
Unity and Chain of Command
Organizational flexibility
Unified Command
Span of control
Common terminology
Personnel accountability
" Response Base (Facility) Functions
Establishment and role of the Command Post
Establishment and role of a Staging Areas
Establishment and role of a Helo base
Identification of common charts and symbols for use in response
operations
" Incident Resources
Kinds of resources used
Proper resource management
Status of resources used at an incident, and the purpose and limits
associated with each
Change in resource status, how notification of changes is made, and
how status is maintained or tracked
" Pre-Incident Preparation
Consolidation of required documents used during a response
Proper notification sequence
Training of personnel including exercise of management system
" Initial Mobilization
Actions to be accomplished prior to leaving for an incident event.
Steps involved in incident check-in.
" Organizational Roles and Responsibilities
General duties of each organizational element
Critical skill sets of typical ICS positions
Minimum staffing requirements within each organizational element
Reporting relationships
Flow of information, both within and external to the ICS organization
Use of briefings
Use of forms
Transfer of incident command
Major elements included in the incident briefing
Responsibilities for each Command and General Staff member
Responsibilities for each Section Chief
Roles of deputies and assistants, including technical specialists
Responsibilities for Unit leaders
Purposes and responsibilities of agency representatives, reporting
relationships, and how they can be effectively used within the incident
organization
" Resource Management (personnel and materials)
Principles of resource management
Use of Forms and Worksheets
Identification of organizational elements that can order resources
Single and multi point resource ordering and the reasons for each
How and why resources are assigned to staging areas
" Financial Management
Participation in financial section
Tracking expenditures/cost recovery documentation
Estimating future costs
" Incident Planning Process
Major steps involved in the planning process
Identification of personnel who have responsibility of developing the
Incident Action Plan, and their duties
Development of appropriate strategies for possible worst case scenarios
Development of appropriate tactics to meet incident objectives
Use of operational periods in the planning process, and how operational
periods are derived
Function of Worksheets and Forms in preparing the Incident Action Plan
Criteria for determining when the Incident Action Plan should be
prepared in writing
Supporting materials included in an Incident Action Plan
" Unified Command
Define Unified Command
Applications and advantages of multi jurisdiction and/or multi agency
Unified Command organization.
Features of a Unified Command organization
Roles and reporting relationships under a Unified Command which
involve agencies from within the same jurisdiction, and under
multijurisdiction conditions
Cost sharing which might apply under a Unified Command structure
" Multi-Agency Coordination
Kinds of incident management problems that can occur due to a lack of
multi-agency coordination
Terms related to multi-agency coordination
Levels at which multi-agency coordination is commonly accomplished
Components of a multi-agency coordination system
Responsibilities of a multi-agency coordination group
Guidelines for establishing and using multi-agency coordination system
Roles and responsibilities of positions within a multi-agency
coordination system
Preservation of evidence
" Demobilization
Importance of planning for resource demobilization
When a Demobilization Plan should be initiated
Elements of a Demobilization Plan
NRT Member Agencies' Roles in the National Response System
ROLE in NRS For details
see National Oil and
Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency
Plan, 40 CFR 300.170
and 300.175
ICS/UC STATUS/TYPE
Provide OSC
Support OSC
EPA - Chair NRT
x
xThe EPA supports ICS/UC but
no uniform policy has been
adopted regarding its use. Pilot
training program is being
conducted based on ICS/UC
Technical Assistance Document
developed by NRT. EPA
endorsed NIIMS ICS in the
NRT's Integrated Contingency
Plan Guidance. EPA response
planning regulation for nontransportation-related facilities
does not specify a spill
management team.
USCG - Vice Chair
NRT
x
xThe USCG endorses NIIMS
ICS. Training available at local
Marine Safety Offices by NSFCC
and through consultant under
contract to USCG (MATES).
Response planning regulations
for vessels and marine
transportation-related facilities
require the identification of an
organizational structure to
manage response actions.
AGENCY
FEMA Under the
Stafford Act and the
xFEMA has directed its program
offices to use an organizational
Federal Response
Plan, FEMA serves
as Federal
Coordinating Officer
with responsibility
for coordinating
Federal agencies
and Federal
resources in
support of Federal,
state, and local
relief efforts.
structure consistent with the
principles of ICS during
emergency or disaster
responses under the Federal
Response Plan. The National
Fire Academy strongly endorses
ICS/UC. NIIMS-compatible
training available at the National
Emergency Training Center,
Emittsburg, MD.
DOD
x
x
· USN
x
xNIIMS-compatible ICS training
included in standard Navy OSC
courses.
SUPSALV
x
xSUPSALV strongly endorses
ICS.
· USAF
x
x
· USA
x
x
ACOE
x
x
DOE
x
x
DOE endorses ICS/UC but no
uniform policy is employed
throughout the National
Laboratories and Sites. Each
site/lab has its own plan based
upon the diverse hazardous
material holdings and the
respective federal/state/local
statutes and regulations.
x
NIIMS ICS used for fire
management and all
hazards/disasters.
USDA
· USFS
· ARS
· SCS
DOC/NOAA
· APHIS
· FSIS
DOD Wildland Fire Management
Policy Working Group recommends
adoption of NIIMS ICS for DOD
wildland fire management.
NIIMS ICS training available
through the National Interagency
Fire Center (NIFC).
x
Endorses use of ICS/UC.
DHHS
x
No formal ICS training, but uses
ICS.
x
Uses NIIMS ICS in all-hazard
responses. Originally initiated by
fire service. NIIMS ICS training
available through the National
Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
· PHS
· CDC
· ATSDR
DOI
· USFWS
· USGS
· BLM
· OSM
DOJ
x
· BR
· BIA
· NPS
· MMS
Several DOI bureaus (NPS, FWS,
BLM) teach ICS to their employees
and use NIIMS ICS for wildfire
management and in all
hazards/disasters.
NPS organizes their participation in
major oil spills using ICS that works
with ICS/UC as implemented by
USCG. NPS instruct its employees
in ICS during HAZWOPER training.
MMS requires response plans to
designate a trained spill
management team including a spillresponse coordinator and alternate.
MMS also endorsed use of NIIMS
ICS in ICP guidance.
x
No ICS.
x
RSPA endorsed use of NIIMS ICS
in ICP guidance.
· FBI
· FMS
DOT/RSPA
· HMS.
· OPS
· FRA
The RSPA-Office of Pipeline Safety
(OPS) response planning guidance
for onshore pipelines calls for the
identification of a response
management team organized as an
ICS. RSPA-OPS guidance provides
for pipeline operators to omit
description of the management
team if the response plan adopts
NIIMS ICS by reference. RSPAOPS endorsed use of NIIMS ICS in
ICP guidance.
DOL/OSHA
x
In 29 CFR 1910.120(q), OSHA
requires use of a site-specific
Incident Command System or
equivalent for employees engaged
in emergency response.
DOS
x
Unknown
NRC
x
Unknown
GSA
x
Unknown
· NSF
x
NIIMS ICS.
· ERT
x
Endorses use of ICS/UC.
· RERT
x
· SSC
x
Endorses use of ICS.
· NPFC
x
NIIMS ICS.
· DRG
x
NIIMS ICS
· SUPSALV
x
Strongly endorses ICS.
Special Forces For
more details, see the
National Oil and
Hazardous
Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan
(NCP), at 40 CFR
300.145.
OTHER POTENTIAL
MEMBERS OF
RESPONSE TEAM OR
USERS/SUPPLIERS
OF RESOURCES
Role in NRS
ICS Status/Type
Provide OSC
Support OSC
x
xMany states endorse ICS/UC
for management of oil and
hazardous substances
discharges and other disasters.
NTSB
States
Local Government
xUse of ICS/UC varies. Local
firefighting resources are likely
to strongly endorse NIIMS ICS.
Responsible Parties
Use of ICS/UC varies. RP may
be required to utilize a spill
management system as
required under specific
response planning regulations
or agency guidance.
OSROs
xUse of ICS/UC varies.
OSROs that routinely work with
or support FOSCs are likely to
use NIIMS ICS.
Federal Government Sources of ICS Training Private sector sources of ICS
training can be found on the NRT Homepage, at http://www.nrt.org/. Please read
the disclaimer before using the list of private sector sources of ICS training.
NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY
National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, MD
POC: (800) 238-3358, Ext. 1035 or (301) 447-1035, Website:
http://www/usfa.fema.gov/.
Course Description:
Hazardous Materials Incident Management. This six-day (Sunday through
Friday) program focuses on the duties and responsibilities of the emergency
response personnel who will assume the Incident Commander role in hazardous
materials emergencies above the initial response. Based on the current
requirements of Title 29 of the code of Federal Regulations Section 1910.120 (29
CFR 1910.120) and the applicable national standards, the program follows three
phases of an incident: preplanning, incident operations, and post-incident
responsibilities. Topics include negligence and liability; planning; Incident
Command System/Emergency Operations Center interface; training
requirements; and emergency response plans. Evaluation of the student''
knowledge of the subject is attained through written tests and graded scenarios.
Evening classes and projects are required.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (EMI)
National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, MD
POC: (800) 238-3358 or (301) 447-1000, E-mail: [email protected]
Course Description:
IEMC: All Hazards. This is the core course that addresses preparedness,
response and recovery in emergency situations resulting from natural and
technological hazards. The IEMC is conducted for large as well as small
communities depending upon the priority of needs and hazards that are facing
the communities.
Course Description:
IEMC: Hazardous Materials. This course addresses the unique problems
associated with the handling and transportation of radioactive, toxic, and other
hazardous materials.
Course Description:
Incident Command System (ICS) Curricula Train-the-Trainer. This 4 ½-day
course will train participants to teach the three ICS field courses that EMI offers.
Those courses are ICS for Law Enforcement Agencies, ICS Public Officials
Conference and the ICS/EOC Interface Workshop. This combined Train-theTrainer will concentrate on "how to teach" the courses rather than on course
content. Participants can expect evening sessions in this course.
Course Description:
Incident Command System (ICS): Public Works. This 12-hour course introduces
public works personnel to the ICS. Several scenarios are included that allow
participants to apply ICS to public works events.
Course Description:
Incident Command System (ICS) for Public Officials Conference. The 1 ½-hour
conference is designed as a briefing for elected and appointed policy level
officials. This conference focuses on providing public officials with an awareness
of ICS as an effective management tool, which can be adopted in managing
emergency situations.
Course Description:
POC: Resty Adlesberger, (301) 447-1076
FEMA Independent Study Program: FEMA has developed an independent study
program for the general public and individuals who have emergency
management responsibilities. The program consists of 12 self-paced courses that
cover a variety of emergency management topics. There are no prerequisites or
fees to enroll in the courses. Each course includes lessons with practices and a
final exam and the average course completion time is 10-12 hours. The
Emergency Management Institute issues those who score a 75% or better. Only
the general public courses are available on the Website.
Website: http://www.fema.gov//emi/crslist.htm
IS –195 Basic Incident Command System. The course is described as a basic
introductory course to meet the need to provide training for those who are not
first responders (i.e. law enforcement personnel, fire, or emergency medical
services personnel) who may be called upon to function in an ICS environment.
The course has been developed for self-instruction but can also be delivered in a
classroom setting with the use of an instructor. The course includes a large
number of scenarios, examples, and opportunities for students to apply what they
have learned.
Website: http://fema/gov/emi/is195.htm
Additional Independent Study Courses offered by EMI:
IS-1 Emergency Program Manager: An Orientation to the Position
IS-2 Emergency Preparedness, USA
IS-3 Radiological Emergency Management
IS-5 Hazardous Materials: A citizen's Guide
IS-7 A Citizens Guide to Disaster Assistance
IS-301 Radiological Emergency Response
U.S. Coast Guard
National Strike Force Coordination Center
POC: Tracy Taylor, (919) 331-6000, Ext. 3058
Course Description:
Instruction in response management based on the National Interagency Incident
Management System (NIIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) using the NIIMS
National Training Curriculum. ICS instruction includes training at the I-200, I-300,
I-400 level, Position Specific Workshops and other USCG specific ICS
implementation-related topics. The NSF also has other products geared toward
the local area spill management team (SMT) that can help move the SMT closer
toward achieving their maximum response effort/goals. Due to limited availability
and changing schedules due to actual response activities, check with the nearest
USCG Marine Safety Office for times, dates, and availability of scheduled ICS
training.
McKinna'a Emergency Spill Support
6608 Winterberry Drive, Austin, TX 78750
POC: (512) 338-8928
(Under contract to the U.S. Coast Guard NSFCC.)
Course Description:
During the past three years, in an effort to improve the decision-making process
within the local, multi-agency command post teams, the U.S. Coast Guard
developed a format that has been demonstrated in a number of U.S. ports. This
training is provided under contract by McKinna's Emergency Spill Support to
improve the development of a shared organizational focus and team problem
solving skills among potentially diverse members within the local SMT. This has
led to the development of the Multi-Agency Team-building Enhancement
Systems (MATES). MATES is designed to improve the preparedness of the area
response team by focusing on vital team interaction skills prior to an actual
response. Due to limited spaces, participants are selected by the local USCG
Marine Safety Office to ensure appropriate composition of area response team
participants.
National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC)
3833 South Development Avenue
Boise, ID 83705
POC: Paul Broyles, (208) 387-5226 or
Website: http://fire.nifc.nps.gov/sacs/html/training.html
Course Descriptions:
The NIFC offers incident management courses based on the ICS National
Training Curriculum developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. The
ICS National Training Curriculum is sponsored by the National Wildfire
Coordinating Group and developed by the NIFC. The curriculum was prepared
with the support and assistance of a multi-disciplined and interagency steering
group. The curriculum consists of seventeen modules of instruction which are
designed to teach the skills essential to incident management, not specific
tactical skills related to particular disciplines. Each of the training modules has
been submitted for review to more than 200 public safety, emergency
management, and industry professionals from across the United States. The
modules may be used independently, in a variety of combinations, or
sequentially. They can also be clustered and presented together as courses.
Introduction to ICS, ICS I-100. This course consists of Module 1 and is selfpaced. This module is suggested training for all entry-level personnel assigned to
an incident or event, persons working in support roles and cooperating agencies,
off incident personnel who are required a minimum of ICS orientation and
technical specialists assigned to support incident from an off-site location.
Basic ICS, I-200. This consists if Modules 2 through 6. Basic ICS introduces
students to the principles associated with the ICS. It covers organization,
facilities, resource terminology and the common responsibilities of general
instruction associated with incident or event assignments.
Intermediate ICS, I-300. This consists of Modules 7 though 11. Intermediate ICS
expands on Basis ICS, but does not repeat Basic ICS. If provides more
description and detail of the organization and operation of the ICS, management
of resources, describes the duties of all positions including the Air Operations
organization and provides examples of how the essential principles are used in
incident and event planning.
Advanced ICS, I-400. This consists of Modules 12 through 15. Advanced ICS
expands on much of the material covered in the Intermediate ICS modules.
These modules emphasize large-scale organization development: roles and
relationships of the primary staff: the planning, operational, logistical and fiscal
considerations related to a large and complex incident and event management. It
describes the application of Area Command and the importance of interagency
coordination on complex incidents and events.
Multi-agency Coordination, I-401. This consists of Module 126. This module
deals with the roles of the Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and Multiagency Coordination Systems (MACS) and the function of each.
Course Descriptions (continued):
ICS for Executives, I-402. This consists of Module 17. Incident Command
System for Executives provides the basics of ICS, Unified and Area Command
and multi-agency coordination to those persons responsible for establishing or
implementing policy, but who normally are not part of the on-scene ICS
Organization. Also discussed are the responsibilities and information transfer
between executives and incident commanders. The Executive Briefing Paper
discusses issues of concern for the executive, briefly discusses the ICS
organization and components of the Incident Command System.
Courses are offered at NIFC in Boise, Idaho and at various locations around the
nation. Course materials, consisting of an instructors guide (with viewgraphs and
answer key) and reference text, are available from NIFC. Also available are
several companion documents that are designed to enhance and assist in the
presentation of the instructional materials. Send requests to purchase course
materials to the NIFC, ATTN: Supply at the address listed above. Orders must be
from agencies or organizations, not private individuals. Questions regarding
costs and ordering procedures should be directed to (208) 387-5542.
Course Description:
HAZMAT Incident Commander. Course content includes: introduction to the
Incident Command System; roles and responsibilities for the staff of the incident
command system; tabletop exercise for incident command system development;
working with local, state, federal and site emergency response plans; overview of
laws affecting incident response; unified incident command (multi-jurisdictional);
developing the incident command structure; response to small containers,
highway cargo tanks, and rail incidents as the incident command staff; and full
scale response: developing and filling all of the proper incident command roles.
This will utilize resources from the Hazardous Materials Technician Class.
Copyright ©; 1997 U.S. National Response Team
Last Modified: October 24, 2002..